'Witchcraft' Overhead by junge1
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No AI - This artwork was created entirely by hand or with traditional digital tools.
Description
Consolidated B-24J Liberator 'Witchcraft', serial no. 44-44052, was built at the Consolidated Aircraft Company's Fort Worth, Texas plant.
It was delivered to the US Army Air Force and in October 1944 it was transferred to the Royal Air Force. Under the British flag the B-24 saw combat in the Pacific Theater in operations ranging from anti-shipping to bombing and re-supply of resistance force operations.
At war's end the aircraft was abandoned by the RAF in a bomber graveyard in Khanpur, India; with the assumption that it would not fly again.
However, in 1948 the Indian Air Force succeeded in restoring 36 B-24s, including 44-44052, to operational status. These aircraft were utilized until 1968.
For the next 13 years the aircraft sat abandonded in India until British aircraft collector Doug Arnold obtained it in 1981 and transported it back to England disassembled. Once in England, the aircraft was advertised for sale in 'as is' condition and in 1984 Dr. Robert F. Collins purchased it.
After a sea voyage of three weeks the B-24 arrived in Boston and was brought to Stow, MA in four truckloads.
Restoration to flying condition started in 1985 and involved complete disassembly of the plane and work on 80% of the B-24s 1.2 milllion parts.
This picture was taken on 22 April 2009.
Thank you for viewing, commenting and any favs,
Sig...

Comments (40)
great capture...
schönes und interessantes Foto!
Fantastic image. Great capture!!
Impressive and interesting photo! Great capture :)
a terrific story! and a wonderful photo!!!!
Well that's one way to pick apples right off the tree! LOL Great shot!
Wow!!! Caught a great angle on the old warbird!!!
very impressive and beautiful photo and your story is excellent sig...Great job!!
dramatic !
Great shot. Love the story. Well done.
Splendid composition and colors my friend
Whihcraft is a fine Aircraft and this is a great catch!
FANTASTIC SHOT and Story!!
great foto and story.
TERRIFIC!!!
Excellent capture my friend.
Awesome looking plane. Great historical story too. Nice capture as well. Aloha
spooky looking like this in this pov. wonderful shot as it flys overhead
I didn't have the right camera and the shot is not as crisp as it could have been. It was also faster and lower than I had anticipated. They were giving rides, $425 for 1/2 hr.- tax deductible. A perfect restoration and it sounded fantastic!
It looks like you were high up in the tree to capture this picture. The guy in the aft hatch has a great seat too.
must have been amazing dissassembling the aircraft twice,so i would say this aircraft you can trust to fly,because the people who assembled it again the love it,i see that.
stunning shot
A fantastic airplane and a great story behind it Sig, I'm glad this ex pat made it back home. A friend of mine is involved with a B17 over here in the UK. I think its brilliant what these restoration groups and individuals do, especially with a project like this one was. 1.2 million parts that was some jigsaw to put back together. As you say not as crisp as it could have been but I'm sure you will return with the right camera next time. Still an excellent shot, I would have been to excited to press the shutter release. Wish I was the chap in the red sweatshirt. Bravo!!!!! Has to be a fav.
Jaw hitting the floor type picture here, Sig!!!!!!! Amazing! One of that same batch, is in The RAF Museum, Hendon. It FLEW to the U.K. (Picture in gallery) But lets be honest, yours IS FAR better. Nothing is grander than the actual plane in the air. A WONDERFUL picture! Thanks... FAVE! Rob.
Thanks for all the nice comments to this pic. I went back the next day and missed the take-off, but I will see it again-I'm sure. I loved the sound-it was as good as any concert!!
Very cool capture!!!
impressive capture... well done!
Nice picture... that plane looks like it is flying extremely low. Sounds like it took a lot of work to bring it back into flying shape.
Very cool shot. I like how the wheels aren't quite into their recesses yet. seems to add additional dynamic to the shot.
She's beautiful.